Failed MyBook External HDD

[edy42]

I have a 160GB external Western Digital "MyBook Essential" drive. The other day when I came home, I noticed a burning/ozone smell, which I traced back to my external HDD. Now, the drive cannot be read--the computer doesn't even detect it, and the green light on the front doesn't come on. When plugged in, it begins to create the horrible smell again (guessing something is burned out on the board).

Anyway, the thing is covered under warranty, but I'm not sure whether I want to send it back and have it replaced, as I have semi-valuable data on it. I was wondering if anyone new the internals of the WD MyBook drive. Internally, does it have a standard SATA or IDE drive that I can hook up normally and recover my data? I don't want to open the case as it will void my warranty, but if it is possible for me to recover the data myself, I'll probably pass up on the warranty and just get my data back.

Thanks

 

[stduc]

Try contacting the company and raising your issues with them. You never know they might be helpful?

[navy]When I married "Miss Right" I didn't realise her first name was 'always'. LOL[/navy]

 

[G0AOZ]

A quick glance at the Western Digital site doesn't seem to give info relating to the type of drive (SATA or IDE) being fitted to the these external cases.

As stduc suggested, it's worth contacting the company who supplied the device to see what they have to say or offer. You can then decide if you want to "break it open" yourself or not... Worst case scenario will be that the HDD is trashed along with the interface. However, there's always a chance that the drive might be ok...

Good luck.

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[edy42]

I called tech support, and I was told that the internally there was a hard disk that could be connected to a computer. I didn't ask whether it was IDE or SATA or SCSI or whatever, but I'm guessing it will probably be SATA.

 

[stduc]

Did they give you permission to open the unit?

[navy]When I married "Miss Right" I didn't realise her first name was 'always'. LOL[/navy]

 

[edy42]

no, they didn't. I decided to open it yesterday night, voiding my warranty. What I found was interesting, and may be useful. My model is the Western Digital My Book Essential 160 GB. Inside was a 160GB Western Digital Caviar IDE hard disk. I hooked it up to a computer I had laying around, and it worked perfectly--there were no problems with the disk.

 

[G0AOZ]

Glad to hear the disk works ok, and presumably your important data is in good shape.

Time to look around for a replacement backup unit. You may be able to buy just a plain box, PSU and interface, into which you can place your existing 160Gb drive...

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[stduc]

I use an ICY box - it takes that drive and many others - cost me around £16 I think. It's reliable if a little garish - but I can live with that - I have a 400GB WD in mine.

But I don't keep it powered up when not in use. I have left it on overnight to do a full backup though - no issues.

[navy]When I married "Miss Right" I didn't realise her first name was 'always'. LOL[/navy]

 

[edy42]

looking at the circuitry inside the case, it looks like only the connector that connects with the AC adapter is damaged (it has black scorch marks on it). So, I think I might just buy this part and solder it onto the board, thus repairing the external drive (Of course, I'll never get the external case to close again). If this doesn't work, I'll probably buy something similar to what's mentioned above. I'll take a look at deals on newegg.com.

 

[G0AOZ]

Before spending time and dosh on a connector, have you checked the low voltage output from the adaptor? Label on the adaptor will tell you what to expect, i.e. 9vdc, 12vdc, etc...

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[wahnula]

Being the careful sort that I am I would backup that boo-booed drive immediately, especially if it holds unique data. It's unlikely to be damaged, but better safe than sorry.

 

[edy42]

Yeah, I backed the data up. Took a careful look at the drive, and think that it is being shorted out near the power connector (there is an extremely low resistance between the two oppositely charged terminals on the power connector). So, the components are all so small that there doesn't appear to be anything to do. So, I ended up buying an enclosure. Thanks a lot for all of your help.